Emigration

[RogueTrooper]

Would you consider moving to Ireland?

[Maeve]

1. In a heartbeat

We already are planning to try and find a way when our youngest is grown (8-10 years). Kerry, Clare, Galway...some part of the west (Hubby would even take the Burren!)

[RogueTrooper]

2. Ah well

Ireland needs to maintain a net immigration of between 40 and 50,000 per annum to reach the next level of economic development. I was wondering if we could get any takers from across the atlantic.

[Maeve]

3. I'm under the impression that it is more difficult for us Yanks

Europeans can get in, no problem, but those of us from the US (unless we can claim citizenship thru parents/grandparents) are at a distinct disadvantage.

On the flip side, a lot fewer Irish are coming to America since the 1990's, thanks to improved economic conditions in Ireland. It's making it tight for the Irish-American groups who depended on an influx of new blood. Just saw an article about that...I'll see of I can find it again.

On edit: http://www.nuzhound.com/articles/irish_news/arts2005/jan18_Irish-Americans_extinction__ROHanlon.php

[RogueTrooper]

4. Ireland is now a net importer of people

and with the Celtic Tiger there is now no need for young Irishmen and women to leave Ireland in search of economic prospects. And the ones that do leave are going for experience: They fully expect to return. There is work for those that want it in Ireland.

I have a feeling those numbers are going to get even lower Maeve. Now, everybody I know in Ireland has family in America; but this is already started to be seen as something that was done in "old Ireland".

The main immigrant groups are from Central & Eastern Europe and China.

[two gun sid]

5. Probably not....

I'm 44 and too old to make a change like that. My family has been here so long no one I've known has any memory of our homeland. We left Limerick because of Cromwell in the 1600's. We've maintained some of our Irish heritage but, I would feel too much of an outsider and foreign there.


It will always be just a nice place to visit for me.

[XanaDUer]

6. Yes, and am starting the paperwork and looking into it.

...

[Anarcho-Socialist]

7. If my circumstances were different, yes

As a EU citizen I would get in anyway, although I know that through my maternal grandmother I would qualify through Irish citizenship.

My wife is an American (who lives in Missouri, but with me in England) and we haven't figured out where to live (she definitely wants out of the red states).

We've been considering:
1. Canada
2. US blue states

...as a destination to settle eventually. I've tried to suggest Sweden to her (I believe in social democracy) but she doesn't think she could tolerate the weather.

Ireland might be worth looking in to, although I don't think my partner wants to leave North America.

Oh well...

[greatauntoftriplets]

8. And I thought I had a long long-distance relationship.

But you are much farther away from each other than just 800 miles. Thanks for convincing me that this CAN work.

:D

[Anarcho-Socialist]

9. lol, I'm glad to help! (even unintentionally)

:)